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Transcript of interview with John Erb by Susan Korzennik, February 23, 1980

Date

1980-02-23

Description

On February 23, 1980, Susan Korzennik interviewed construction worker John Erb (born on July 16th, 1932 in Denver, Colorado) in his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. This interview covers John’s construction work in the Las Vegas area in addition to family life in Nevada and local social, religious, and community activities. He also discusses being a member of the Elks Club and the Clark County Gentlemen’s Club.

Text

Transcript of interview with Ed Fleming by Mark Lucas, February 8, 1977

Date

1977-02-08

Description

On February 8, 1977, Mark Lucas interviewed Edmund “Ed” Fleming (born 1915 in Virginia, Minnesota) about his experience in Southern Nevada. Fleming first talks about his moves to and from Nevada before describing the mining practices within the small towns in Southern Nevada. He also talks about his experience as a teacher in Pahrump and Goodsprings and his eventual move to Las Vegas, where he continued in the educational field. Fleming also talks about religion, transportation, funding for education, inflation, and cultural arts as they all relate to Las Vegas.

Text

Photographs of LV Tattoo, Las Vegas (Nev.), March 3, 2017

Date

2017-03-03
2017-08-31

Description

LV Tattoo sits at 25 East Fremont Street inside the Fremont Street Experience. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Sheet.
Site address: 25 Fremont St
Sign owner: Johnny Law
Sign details: The original construction year of the building was 1940. This tattoo parlor was opened by Johnny Law in the 2000s , and Johnny also doubles as a tattoo artist at this property as well. There are about 9 main tattoo artists and piercers at this parlor that is housed in the Fremont Street Experience. Since they are on the second floor on the corner of Fremont and First St. their guests can watch the zip line that goes down Fremont, but they can also watch the First Street Stage which holds concerts regularly.
Sign condition: 5-Very good condition and shines bright
Sign form: Sign in Window
Sign-specific description: Their sign is placed within the windows of their second floor storefront. There are 6 windows and each one has a big letter in each which spells out "TATTOO" in double lined red skeletal neon letters.
Sign - type of display: Neon
Sign - media: Steel
Sign environment: This property is on the second floor of the building on the South corner of Fremont and First St. Below the Tattoo shop is a gift shop. This property has the remnants of the Famous Pioneer Club with Vegas Vic to the West. The Golden Nugget across the street to the East of this property. Also to the North is the First Street concert venue.
Sign - date of installation: 2015
Sign - thematic influences: Use of red Neon shows the classic design particularly with the skeletal neon.
Sign - artistic significance: No specific era presented, but shows how a modern store can use a classic design style. Also it shows how the classic neon is still alive on Fremont and every company has down there has neon.
Survey - research locations: LV Tattoo website, assessor's website
Surveyor: Emily Fellmer
Survey - date completed: 2017-08-31
Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Building-front design

Mixed Content

Photographs of Klondike signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date

2002

Description

Daytime and nighttime views of the Klondike Hotel and Casino signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 5191 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign details: The Klondike Motel Casino is located on the east side of the strip, just north of the Las Vegas Tourist Bureau, actually sharing the same lot. The two are only separated by a small driveway. The mining town theme is exemplified throughout the exterior of the property with a western style text, seen on other similar themed properties such as the Frontier. Murals depicting scenes of prospecting miners and saloons adorn the surface as well as red steel sides which appears as wood, because of its horizontal panels. The property stretches north/south with a small parking lot separating the street from the establishment. Behind the front building a series of structures house the rooms. The buildings signage is situated along the face of the building, on the elevated surface of the walls themselves.
Sign condition: Structure 4 Surface 4 Lighting 3
Sign form: Fascia
Sign-specific description: The top edge of the wall entire face of the building arches, and steps up in various places, and is lined with gold raceways lined with incandescent bulbs. On the north side of the main building upon a vast paneled steel surface the word "Casino" is spelled in giant gold channel letters painted white on the interior. They are bordered in red neon and filled with incandescent bulbs. The text for the establishment is the western type face seen in properties such as the Frontier, or the Westward Ho. To the right of the text, an internally lit, white faced, plastic message board message board, is housed in a gold painted steel cabinet. Moving around the corner to the west face of the property, we see "Casino" spelled in the same manner of Cannel letters, flanked on either side by gold painted housings for cabinets, both crowning with an arched top. Incandescent bulbs forma border around the housing. Set inside each one of the square recessed areas is an internally lit, white, plastic faced message center, with vinyl lettering. Both cabinets are painted red. Below the main text an internally lit, white plastic faced, message center, with rounded ended runs the length of the space underneath the letters. The main entrance is underneath an awning, facing southwest. In the center of the top edge of the vertical wall above the awning, a circular internally lit cabinet is bordered with a gold raceway lined with incandescent bulbs. The surface of the sign is yellow plastic with the cartoon image of a dancing miner, complete with pick-axe. Below that Klondike is spelled with metallic channel letters with yellow plastic faces. The text descends in size toward the center of the text, then swells back to the original size on the sides. Below this, "Casino" is spelled in all capital, channel letters, filled with incandescent bulbs and bordered in neon. They are treated gold on the exterior and white in the interior. The awning cover the entrance, and is treated with neon as well. The face of the square awning is designed with three square recessed panels, with open bottoms. Three tubes of neon line each one of the three closed edges. Each tube takes a turn illuminating, red yellow, and blue. Cantilevered off of the left-hand side of the entrance roof line, a horizontal black cabinet reads "Vacancy" painted in white, and overlaid with red neon. The all caps text faces north/south. Continuing south along the face of the building, a two leveled stretch of structure, continues the last portion of the main building. On the red steel fascia continuing, above the overhang of the second level, "Klondike Hotel" is spelled in large channel letters, treated the same as those seen on the north face of the structure. They are painted gold on the exterior and white on the interiors, filled with incandescent bulbs and bordered with neon. To the left of the text, one on the golden housings for the cabinet, seen on the northern end of the west face, is present but empty. The edge of the overhang, beneath the text is also lined with a raceway and incandescent bulbs
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, oscillating
Notes: The text which spells casino flashes on and steady burns, then oscillates, steady burns again, then shuts off. Moving around the corner to the western face, all the raceways bordering all the elements chase each other, while the incandescent bulbs located within the text which spells, "Casino" oscillate rapidly. The awning adorned with neon also animates, changing color flashing from red, then blue, then gold. The text which reads "Casino" above the awning is filled with incandescent bulbs which oscillate as well. The incandescent bulbs in the main text on the southern half of the western face of the building light up one letter at a time then once they are all illuminated, then they all begin to oscillate. Once they oscillate for a few seconds, then they all light up once again. The sequence is ended once all the letters go dark.
Sign environment: Located just north of the tourist bureau, the Klondike has the honor of being the first casino a traveler encounters as they enter the Strip. Besides the company of the tourist bureau and the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, it stands rather solitary. It's collection of pulsating bulbs and neon make the Klondike the most dominant force in its presence.
Sign - date of installation: 1978
Sign - date of redesign/move: Before the Klondike was opened twenty five years ago, it was known as the Konakai Motel.
Sign - thematic influences: mining, goldrush--small roadside motels
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Oscillating; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Paint

Mixed Content

Photographs of Laughing Jackalope signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date

2002

Description

Daytime views of the Laughing Jackalope motel signs on the Strip. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet.
Site address: 3969 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Dan, Ron and Randy Horowitz
Sign details: The motel resides on the east side of the strip, and is one of the larger properties on the southern tip of Las Vegas Blvd The facility fits into the typical model of the roadside motel on this portion of the strip. An official building sits on the north side of the property and precedes a span of pavement centered with a pool, and backed by the flanking wings of rooms. A pylon side is on the north end of the property, across a span of pavement from a grass island with a rather large statue of an elephant made of fiberglass. In the near distance behind the island, the pool house for the said pool, is adorned with distinct neon as well.
Sign condition: Structure 3 Surface 2 Lighting 4 Notes: Certain neon tubes around the top of the building are falling and in disarray. Besides that, the signage seems to be in good repair.
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia
Sign-specific description: On the north face of the building, two internally lit, horizontal, rectangular cabinets. Located on the right hand side of the plane of the wall, the yellow steel cabinets hang in close proximity to each other. One in the top right-hand corner, and one sitting right below the former. Both signs are identical in size and a yellow raceways which are lined with incandescent bulbs. The face of the top cabinet reads "Laughing Jackalope", in smaller text on the left hand side, while the rest of the sign is occupied by all capital, yellow, text reading "Bar & Grill." The bottom sign reads "Progressive Video Poker," and "24 HR." Moving around to the west face of the building, another internally lit cabinet rests on the wall above the main entrance. This cabinet has rounded ends, but is the same as the previous two in color and design. This surface reads "Bar & Grill" in yellow text, flanked on either side by the angled logo text, which reads "Laughing Jackalope," also in yellow text. Further south, down the face of the building, above the driveway to the covered valet, a cabinet hangs, which is identical to the one above the main entrance. The only difference is the text. The text reads "Video Poker" in large, all capital, yellow letters. The same two signs seen on the west face are represented on the south as well. The one that reads, "Video Poker," hangs on the left near the "Bar & Grill" cabinet. The pylon sign resides further south in the parking lot. A two sided rectangular pylon rests atop a square post which transforms into a "V" shape. The inverted triangular section supports, an internally lit, black, double-backed cabinet. The face of the cabinet is designed with two sections. The top third of the face is an LED message center, while the remaining two-thirds is purple backlit plastic with Yellow text. The text reads in two lines, "Motel, Bar, & Grill." The rectangular cabinet rises out of the top of the previous cabinet, with the vertical edges angling slightly outward. At the top of the sign, upon the purple steel surface, the "Laughing Jackalope" logo text is spelled in yellow channel letters, and outlined with neon. The interiors are lined with yellow neon on the interior, and on the outside is lined with red. The remainder of the face of the cabinet is occupied by a two-dimensional cabinet. It is crafted into the shape of jackalope/ man figure, playing a slot machine. The surface of the cabinet is graphically treated with the details of the figure and apparatus. Silver coins adorn a pink face, complete with the proper details of a slot machine. The figure is treated appropriately as well, with brown antlers, and white tuxedo. The exterior of the cabinet is painted yellow with a yellow raceway border, lined with incandescent bulbs.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent; Backlit
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing
Notes: Each one of the letters on the laughing jackalope pylon illuminate one at a time, starting from left to right. They all simultaneously flash off then on then off before restarting the sequence
Sign environment: The environment for the Laughing Jackalope is interesting. Not only is it present on the declining, and simultaneously growing southern end of the strip. It stands out in the dusty remains of the south standing in purple and yellow, screaming at who ever walks by, with an atmosphere that is reminiscent of the garish imagery portrayed by authors such as Hunter S. Thompson. It almost seems surreal, yet fits right in with the surroundings as well. The motel portion fits into the typical design of the roadside motel. Across the street, the Mandalay Bay and the Luxor remind the laughing Jackalope of its place, and maybe imminent fate. The signs are very pedestrian friendly, providing access right up close.
Sign manufacturer: Diamond Head Sign Co.
Sign - date of installation: 1997
Sign - date of redesign/move: Before the Laughing Jackalope was opened it was a property called the Sunbird Inn.
Sign - thematic influences: An interesting theme presented in this southern Las Vegas Blvd Property is centered around the fictitious animal called named the Jackalope, presumably a presentation of the marriage of an antelope and rabbit bodies. Other than the presence of him as a mascot, the theme presented is none other than the aesthetics of hue and nature of the establishment. The hanging wall cabinets are adorned on the edges with raceways lined with incandescent bulbs that chase each other in a rapid fashion, along with a uniform design of font in a combatant duel of the complimentary colors of purple and yellow. It definitely fits into the common design rubric of animation and placement as well as that of the roadside motel. The low level bank of rooms further east on the lot from Las Vegas Blvd is accompanied by a bar and grill. The Laughing Jackalope
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Pylon; Fascia; Neon; Incandescent; Backlit; Steel; Plastic; Graphics; Paint

Mixed Content

Photographs of Paris signs, Las Vegas (Nev.), 2002

Date

2002
2017-09-04

Description

Photos show Paris signs during the day and at night. Two surveys were conducted to gather information about this sign. One was conducted in 2002 and one was conducted in 2017. PDFs are available for both surveys. See the 2017 survey PDF for additional information that is not included in the object description.
Site name: Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Site address: 3655 S Las Vegas Blvd
Sign owner: Park Place Entertainment
Sign details: The Paris property lies on the east side of Las Vegas Blvd, between the Aladdin and Bally's. The three properties stretch from Harmon Avenue, all the way to Flamingo Rd. The only real neon signage includes the text seen on top of the replica of the Eiffel Tower, and a three-dimensional balloon shaped pylon sign located at the south end of the property.
Sign condition: Structure 5 Surface 5 Lighting 5
Sign form: Pylon; Fascia; Porte-cochère
Sign-specific description: Leaving the Aladdin property, headed north you are immediately confronted with the giant hot-air balloon, which acts as the main marquis sign for the Paris Hotel and Casino. The three-dimensional balloon shape sits among trimmed shrubbery and foliage, representational of a classic French garden. The sign is located on an island with a long driveway on its north side running east into the property. It towers high above the viewer, almost appearing as if it is floating. In the spirit of properties like the Aladdin and the Excalibur, the facade of the resort is modeled after a theme, which is the French City of Paris. Complete with fountains, replica street fronts and markets, the main focal point is a life size replica of the Eiffel Tower. Some signage is located high up on the tower, in yellow channel letters. The sign reads "Eiffel Tower Restaurant." The three-dimensional sculpted pylon sign is composed of basically three pieces. At the very bottom, a large post holds up the second section of a large cube. All four sides of the cube are occupied by square, advertising screens. The two facing east/west are back lit color plastic, while the ones facing north/south are LCD screens. The cube is finished in stucco, with sculptural treatments along all of the edges of the cubes. The edges are made to look like giant ropes with knots on all eight corners. The sign is located on the East Side of the strip, yet the only directional orientations are on the cube that the balloon sits on. The spherical structure is an exterior frame with blue vinyl material stretched to form the balloon shape. Steel framework also runs around the circumference in six different places along the structure. On the north and south sides Paris is spelled in red channel letters, filled with incandescent bulbs and bordered in neon. The blue vinyl material is treated with graphic painted images, which are repeated around the circumference of the balloon. The images are of lion heads holding red sashes, above golden eagles. On the middle section an image of a woman's face is surrounded by a golden halo. The yellow structural supports, which are visible on the exterior, also house tubes of neon. The resulting effect is a repeating pattern of neon running up the length of the structure, with horizontal bands around the bottom of the structure, below the channel letters and above them also. A criss-cross pattern adorns the two bands below the text, as well as a scalloped pattern above the text also. The porte cochere is a circular drive with the only lighting being incandescent bulbs running along the raceways, which create the structure of the interior. The structure is finished in a patina bronze, made to look oxidized.
Sign - type of display: Neon; Incandescent
Sign - media: Steel; Plastic
Sign - non-neon treatments: Graphics; Paint
Sign animation: Chasing, flashing, oscillating
Notes: The incandescent bulbs inside the text reading "Paris" on the balloon oscillate rapidly.
Sign environment: Located between Bally's and the Aladdin, two heavily frequented and boisterous properties themselves, the Paris fits nicely creating it's own environment that stands alone when entered. If a pedestrian is present among the stunning architecture, it is easy to be pulled into the theme. Even though the Bellagio is west across the street, the expanse of the street keep the Paris far enough away to be mostly independent, that is of course if the Bellagio's water show is not being displayed. The surrounding properties of Bally's, the Aladdin, and The Bellagio make the area of Las Vegas Blvd between Harmon Ave. and Flamingo rd. a fantastic world stylized cities and dazzling imagery, yet an interesting mix of architecture and signage.
Sign designer: Architect/consultant: Bergman, Walls & Youngblood Ltd. Contractor: Perini Building
Sign - date of installation: 1997
Sign - thematic influences: The Paris Hotel Casino is obviously themed after the actual French city of Paris. The entire facade represents the Parisian atmosphere containing the most famous of Parisian attractions including the Eiffel Tower, the Arch de Triumph, open air cafes, plazas utilizing fountains, and the ornate architecture that spans from gothic to neo classical. The Paris fits into the themed hotel casino industry seamlessly, actually boasting one of the more ornate and unique facades. Other properties that parallel the Paris in style and genre include the Aladdin, the Venetian, and the New York New York. In fact it fits into the category of Hotel/Casino whose theme is what dominates the aesthetic surroundings as well as operation inside and out. Other facilities contain elements of a theme, such as the Stardust, but the interior and exterior are no longer the dominant aspect of the aesthetics. It also fits into the category of resorts themed after actual cities.
Surveyor: Joshua Cannaday
Survey - date completed: 2002
Sign keywords: Chasing; Flashing; Oscillating; Pylon; Fascia; Porte-cochère; Neon; Incandescent; Steel; Plastic; Paint; Graphics

Mixed Content